Do this now for Spring allergies

For seasonal allergy sufferers, early Spring is the time to take action…as Benjamin Franklin famously said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Why do we begin treating allergies before they begin? The simple answer is to keep histamine levels in check. Not only do holistic practitioners approach allergies this way, but mainstream medicine does as well.  

What are histamines?

Histamines are chemical messengers that mediate cellular responses.  Histamines are responsible for symptoms in the respiratory system like runny nose, itchiness, and sneezing. 

Histamine intolerance in in the digestive system can cause symptoms like abdominal pain and distention, diarrhea, constipation, and a feeling of fullness. 

There is a lot to unpack on the topic of histamines, but here are a few tips to get your body ready for spring and early summer allergies.

1. Avoid inflammatory foods: processed and ultra-processed foods, especially refined grains and vegetable oils

2. Detox your body. Plants and supplements which help cleanse the liver and colon, as well as through sweating from exercise or the sauna

3. Stop histamine reactions through acupuncture. It has been shown that acupuncture has better antipruritic effects than third generation antihistamines in one study.‍ ‍Another study comparing acupuncture and second generation antihistamines found that acupuncture demonstrated a greater effect during peak itch intensity.

4. Prevent histamine build-up: begin supplementing with quercetin and nettles now.